The adventures of a homeschooling family

Howard and RachelAnnie, Emma, Sarah, Laura and Adam

Monday, April 6, 2015

Walker Stalker Con

A while back (I can't remember when because I didn't write it down and it's 12 am) someone Annie knows texted her and asked if she wanted to go to Walker Stalker Con. It's like Comic Con, but smaller, and for The Walking Dead.

We don't watch the Walking Dead. However.....

There was also a Doctor Who panel, Night of the Doctor. Present would be Matt Smith, the 11th Doctor, Karen Gillan, and Arthur Darvill, who played Amy Pond and Rory Williams.

So really, how could she refuse? We got tickets for Annie, Emma and me. Annie's contact drove us to San Francisco, so I didn't even have to drive! Bonus, because I hate driving in cities and parking my beast of a car is nearly impossible, even in Sacramento.

We got there early, looked at all the Walking Dead merchandise, wandered around, and felt a little out of place, in our Doctor Who shirts. We didn't have oodles of cash on us. We'd decided to just enjoy the experience. But...

Then we saw where Matt Smith was signing autographs. Annie and I pooled our money so she and Emma could meet him. He was wrapping up before lunch, so they were the only ones in line. He was really nice. He tried striking up a conversation with them, but they were kinda star struck. He asked if they were sisters, and they kinda nodded.

Then, he started signing and Annie spoke up when he left off the "e." Then she asked if they could get a picture with him, which is a big no-no, since pictures are in an additional area, for more $. His agent guy said No way. But Matt said sure and smiled for a few quick pictures. Very cool.

Annie and Emma walked away, still kind of in shock that they had met him, and that he sounded the same in real life.

So then after a bit, we decided, hey, why not spend all our money? We had to decide between Arthur Darvill and Karen Gillan. Karen won out, because hey, she dresses cool, and shaved her head to be Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy. No quick pic here, the handlers actually blocked Emma's iPod when she tried to take pics in line! Karen was also very sweet, and signed a pic to all the kids, even though there was a 2 name limit.

The woman who drove us, also named Karen, helped a balloon artist while he was making a balloon Tardis, so we got to take the first pictures when it was finished.

Later, we went to the Night of the Doctor panel. Annie was able to ditch us and get a better seat as a single. Emma and I could barely hear anything because of the echo of the speakers. What we did hear was funny and sweet. Matt, Karen and Arthur did a rousing rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody. Afterwards, because we were separate, Annie ended up outside of the building and couldn't get back in, despite her protests that she was a minor and needed her mum.

Obviously, she found me.

We stopped for hot mini doughnuts on the wharf. Like literally stopped at a light, we gave cash to Annie and Karen's daughter, with instructions to get two bags of mini doughnuts and meet us back at the light. The two of them did it and were very proud of themselves. They both have anxiety, so it was a big step they took together.

It was our big adventure, getting out of our comfort zone. I would totally do it again, and so would Annie and Emma. And I'd bring the whole family.